Toronto’s public orchard is a go

The city is about to get its first public orchard. Council approved the planting of 14 fruit trees (pear, Japanese plum, cherry) and several flowering and shade trees (shagbark hickory, serviceberry and pawpaw), according to an e-mail sent by Ward 21 councillor Joe Mihevc to residents this morning. In response to neighbourhood concerns that the orchard will result in rotten fruit everywhere or an increase of wild animals, Mihevc reduced the number of trees from the original 40 to 27. The fruit trees will be planted immediately at Ben Nobleman Park across from Eglinton West subway station.